The US House Appropriations Committee has passed provisions in its annual State Department funding bill that impose stricter oversight and conditions on financial assistance to Nigeria.
The measures are contained in the Fiscal Year 2027 National Security, Department of State, and Related Programs appropriations bill passed by the committee on Wednesday.
The lawmakers cited President Bola Tinubu’s administration’s alleged failure to adequately address widespread violence against Christians, including attacks by Fulani ethnic militants and jihadist groups.
Several commitments were made under Titles III and IV of the bill for 2027, including $6,890,170,000 for National Security Investment Programs, of which at least 15 per cent is earmarked for Africa; $870,000,000 for Nonproliferation, Anti-terrorism, Demining and Related Programs; $119,152,000 for International Military Education and Training; and $1,664,204,000 for International Narcotics Control and Law Enforcement.
The proposed legislation did not specify any exact funds committed to Nigeria.
Instead, it stipulates that 50 per cent of funds earmarked for Nigeria under the foreign assistance titles will be withheld until it is certified that the government is taking “effective steps” to curb religious violence.
It also demands that funds must support investigations and prosecutions of violence committed by Fulani militia groups.
It further states that the government must facilitate the safe return of displaced persons.
The bill reads, “Of the funds appropriated under titles III and IV of this Act that are made available for assistance for the central Government of Nigeria, 50 percent may not be obligated until the Secretary of State certifies to the Committees on Appropriations that such Government is—
“(A) taking effective steps to prevent and respond to violence and hold perpetrators accountable;
“(B) prioritizing resources to support victims of such violence, including internally displaced persons;
“(C) actively facilitating the safe return, resettlement, and reconstruction of communities impacted by the violence; and
“(D) allocating sufficient resources to address the conditions in subparagraphs (A) through (C).”
The proposed legislation further states that the Nigerian government will contribute a matching amount from its own budget for every dollar the US spends on programmes in the country.
“Funds appropriated under titles III and IV of this Act that are made available for assistance for Nigeria shall be made available on a cost-matching basis to the maximum extent practicable and used to support atrocities prevention, including through early warning systems;
“advancing religious freedom; investigations and prosecutions of violence committed by Fulani militia groups, jihadist terror groups, and criminal gangs;
“the effectiveness and accountability of police and security forces for the protection of civilians from militia or terrorist attack; the delivery of humanitarian assistance;
“the restoration of basic services in areas impacted by conflict, including through faith-based and local organizations; and
“the development of demobilization, disarmament, and reintegration efforts to address the challenge of illegal weapons trafficking and related security risks, pursuant to section 7035(b)(2) of this Act.”
PUNCH Online reports that the bill requires Congress’ approval and presidential signature before it becomes legally binding and effective.
If approved, Nigeria will be placed under a special watchlist under Section 7015, requiring the US government to notify congressional committees at least 15 days in advance before any money is spent in the country.
This places Nigeria alongside Pakistan, Iraq, Mexico, Ukraine, Sudan, and Venezuela as countries requiring elevated congressional scrutiny of every American dollar spent within their borders.
It also requires the appropriations committees to submit a spend plan for financial aid for Nigeria not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of the Act.
The move comes amid longstanding concerns over religious violence in the country.
Recall that President Donald Trump had in November 2025 designated Nigeria a Country of Particular Concern over alleged persecution of Christians.
Commenting on the bill, a member of the House Appropriations Committee, Riley Moore, faulted the government’s handling of insecurity, saying, “The Tinubu Administration is spending millions lobbying Congress while failing to adequately address the genocide Nigerian Christians face daily.”
The Federal Government has repeatedly denied the claims of religious persecution and has since collaborated with the US on security.
